Warnke Sets Up Crook Camp Diorama

Sheridan artist Tom Warnke this week completed his diorama of General Crook's 1876 encampment in Sheridan.

The display is in the Wyoming Room of Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library. A case has been built to house the piece, with a background painted by artist Connie Robinson, also of Sheridan. The painting is not yet completed, but awaits some finishing touches.

The diorama depicts the camp at 4 o'clock on the afternoon of June 14, 1876, after Crook stopped in what would later be the city of Sheridan – about where the library now stands. The general was on his way to meet with General Custer, but instead, his army clashed with the Sioux at the Rosebud in southern Montana on June 17, and Crook was forced to turn back.

The diorama includes an established camp of Crow, and a party of Shoshone approaching. Warnke described some of the details.

The diorama will be dedicated at 4 o'clock on June 4, 138 years to the day and hour after the event. Wyoming Room Director Judy Slack says the room will be open to the public from 3 until 5 that day.

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